Embassy of India, Tokyo in association with a number of partners celebrated the 3rd International Day of Yoga #IDY2017 #YogaDay in Japan on 18 June 2017 from 0830hrs to 1030hrs at the Taimei Elementary School in Ginza, Tokyo with great gusto. This is the third year that the Embassy of India has been celebrating the International Day of Yoga at the Taimei Elementary School. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Japan in September 2014 had visited the school and interacted with the students.

2. The event began with the inaugural address by H. E. Shri Sujan Chinoy, Ambassador of India to Japan who read out the message of the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. The Guests of Honour, Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, Member of the House of Councillors and Secretary General, Parliamentary League for the Promotion of Yoga and Mr Daichi Suzuki, Commissioner, Japan Sports Agency gave congratulatory messages on the occasion. It may be noted that Japan is the only country that has set up a Parliamentary League for the Promotion of Yoga, which was established during the visit of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Japan in April 2017. Ms. Priyanka Yoshikawa, Miss World Japan also graced the occasion.

3. Dr. Hemant Sharma, Vivekananda Cultural Centre Yoga teacher led the gathering through various yoga poses contained in the Common Yoga Protocol prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. The gathering was dispersed with laughing yoga at the end of the session as a means to spread joy and happiness.

4. A large number of yoga enthusiasts from Japan, India and different nationalities took part in the event and experienced yoga session at the indoor and outdoor venues of the school. They included government officials, the diplomatic corps, media, yoga associations, Indian associations, friends of India, faculty and family of the Taimei school. Many Japanese dignitaries, including former Prime Minister, former Ministers and Members of Parliament sent congratulatory messages to the Ambassador and the Govt. of India on this occasion. Japanese people have a natural inclination for Yoga due to the ancient Hindu-Buddhist links that provide a common bond uniting the two countries.